* "Crying Rocks," Edward Allan Baker's dark seriocomic play about four working-class sisters and their mother, opens the new Laurelgrove Theatre, 12265 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, playing March 9 through April 22. $20. (818) 760-8368.

* The UCLA Film Archive presents "Travelers: New Iranian Cinema" at the James Bridges Theater in Melnitz Hall, Friday through March 17. It opens with Jafar Panahi's "The Circle," winner of the Golden Lion at the 2000 Venice Film Festival. $6; $4 for students, seniors and UCLA alumni. (310) 206-FILM or (310) 206-8013.

* Smuin Ballets/SF performs "Carmina Burana" and "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" March 9 and 10 in Cal State L.A.'s Luckman Complex, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. $35 to $40. (323) 343-6600. The company also performs March 6 at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. $35. (310) 506-4522.